Guzman Added as Stolen Base Threat

Joe Girardi has just announced that Freddy Guzman, the speedster added to Triple-A in September, will replace Eric Hinske on the ALCS roster.

Some say that Guzman was added to counter the Angels’ running threat. I disagree with the move.

Hinske didn’t even get an at bat in the ALDS. He was a fine power option off the bench down the stretch too.

Brett Gardner showed off the value of his speed in the ALDS, which I love. Having him off the bench as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner option gives the Yankees a great edge. Having a second pinch-runner option doesn’t make much sense to me.

In game 2 of the ALDS, Gardner pinch ran in the 10th inning and did his part. Unfortunately, Johnny Damon lined out into a double play, but Gardner couldn’t do anything about that. With Jose Molina starting that game, that left Jerry Hairston Jr. and Eric Hinske as options in the 11th. Hairston isn’t as fast as Guzman, but he does bring speed to the table. Having Hairston and Guzman on the bench for the 11th makes no sense. Poor Hinske.